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5 REASONS TO ENTER

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#PDNCWC

Attention: for quick response to your questions.

The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge Team

[email-masked]

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North Coast AVAs including Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and parts of Marin  and Solano County.

2026 Results

are in!

See you at the festival!

Click here

All Gold Medal Plus winners will be invited to pour at the public

North Coast Wine & Food Festival

June 13th, 2026

Get Tickets Here

Honoring the Legacy of

Our Friend and Fellow Judge

The 2026 North Coast Press Democrat Wine Challenge is dedicated - Bob Foster

Robert "Big Bob" Foster

Angels Wings

July 2025

Bob was an integral part of the competition right from the very first year. His presence was a key contributor to making this wine judging the success that it is.

Bob was the perfect judge.

Knowledgeable, respectful to his peers and kind to the wines and the winemakers who entered.  Always seeing the positives and why wines should get Gold rather than Silver or Bronze.

He oozed passion and love for judging and everyone was a friend.

At this judging he will be remembered with a smile and a laugh for his classic and estatic comment he wrote for the Sweepstakes winning wine in the very first year of Press Democrat North Coast Wine Competition.

“Pour this over my Naked Body”

Bob we love you and you will be sadly missed.

In honor of Bob Foster

5 REASONS TO ENTER

5 REASONS

that benefit you to enter

1.  Exclusivity

This is a regional competition that ONLY rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in Northern California's premier winegrowing region to determine which wines are considered the Best of the Best.  Eligibility includes wines made in these California North Coast AVAs:

Lake County

Mendocino County

Napa County

Sonoma County

Marin County

Solano County

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This includes any bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California.

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2.  Prestigious Recognition Only Gold Medals + Are Published

Unlike other competitions, we spotlight only the top-tier wines—those earning gold medals and higher—keeping your achievement exclusive and highly marketable. Gold-winning wines are converted into 90+ point scores and receive valuable, promotional comments from expert judges. This unique distinction can significantly boost retail sales, making it especially beneficial for small wineries looking to stand out.

3. Respected Judges with Influence

The competition attracts top-tier wine professionals—retailers, distributors, restaurateurs, and wine writers—who have a keen eye for excellence. Their endorsement of winning wines can open doors to greater exposure and market opportunities.

4.  Multi-Channel Promotion and Media Coverage

Winning wines are publicly announced through The Press Democrat, the North Bay Area’s leading news source. Additionally, a professionally produced winners' video featuring Chief Judge Daryl Groom and other experts is shared across social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). Further promotional exposure comes through Wine Industry Advisors, North Bay Business Journal and other publications, virtual newsletters, and online media channels, ensuring widespread recognition.

Subscribe to our channel: https://pdne.ws/youtube

5.  Public Tasting

Gold medal-winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food  Festival annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat.  This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthusiasts near and far who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines Northern California has to offer.

2025

Best of the Best

2025 Best of Class and above

2024 Best of Class and above

2023 Best of Class and above

2022 Best of Class and above

2021 Best of Class and above

Fortunati Vineyards

Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley

2021

BEST OF THE BEST

Best of Show Red

Best of Napa County

99 Points

Alumni Judges

Bob

Foster

esteemed wine judge for more than 30 years, Bob lent his expertise to competitions across the country. As Director of the Mid-American Wine Competition.  a retired prosecutor with the California Attorney General’s Office, he brought integrity, discernment, and dedication to every role he served. His legacy of excellence will long endure within our industry and our community.

We honor the judges whose knowledge, integrity, and generosity of spirit helped shape our competitions. Their influence remains woven into our standards, our community, and every award bestowed.

With Deep Respect and Gratitude

We raise our glass to you!

Guides, Mentors, Friends — Forever Remembered

Bill

Hayes

A respected wine industry leader and longtime Wine Category Manager for BevMo!, Bill devoted more than three decades to shaping wine retail and fostering relationships throughout the global wine community. Bill’s passion and dedication shaped generations of wine lovers. His spirit endures in every glass raised in celebration.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATE JUDGES

The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge strives to be an educational platform for young wine industry professionals growing in their careers. Associate Judges are nominated by their peers and attend the judging process,

each assigned a panel with our highly experienced wine judges. They get to learn and network with winemakers,

sommeliers, media people and other seasoned wine industry professionals.

Ayden Aghaie-Gray

Ayden Aghaie-Gray
Certified Sommelier / Lead Sommelier
The Matheson

Andrew "Drew" Lombardi

Andrew "Drew" Lombardi
Assistant Winemaker
Lombardi Wines

Brendan Loftus

Brendan Loftus
Enology Sales Representative
ATPGroup

Olivia Christie

Olivia Christie
Wine Industry Network

Jordan Maine

Jordan Maine
General Manager and Wine Buyer
Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar

Gianna Passalacqua

Gianna Passalacqua
Luxury Experiences
Foley Family Wines & Spirits

DeShon Elliott

6 year NFL Vet / Wine Enthusiast

Elliott Herrod

Maitre'D and sommelier at Troubadour’s prix fixe meal, Le Dîner.

Bianca Nicastro

Founder / Owner,  Healdsburgundy

Amanda Johnson

Food and Beverage Manager at the Fountaingrove Club

Jennifer (Jenn) Barak

Winemaker, E & J Gallo Winery / Healdsburg, CA

Christian Clements

Grower Relations Representative , E&J Gallo, Fresno, CA

Michelle Kofman

Sr. Specialist of Experiential Development- Dining and Specialty Wine, Northern California - Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy

Cabell Coursey

Winemaker

Rachel Kelley

Student, UC Davis
| Winemaking Certificate Program

Maegan Lavelle

Tasting Room Manager - LIOCO

Alec Reshefsky

Lead Cellarman - Trione Vineyards & Winery

Adam Clark

Tasting Room Manager
Williamson Wines - Healdsburg, California

Teale Eschliman

Wine Consultant, TV & Radio Personality | Sonoma County, CA

Celine Gallo

Student, Cal Poly | San Luis Obispo, CA

Kara Groom

Winemaker, Electric Sky Wine

Chelsea_Hoff_1_edited

WINEMAKER, Fearless Wines

Lee Morse

Assistant Winemaker, Clos du Bois | Geyserville, CA

Nicholas Munsell

Student of Enology, Fresno State University | Fresno CA

Matilda Schroeter

Brewer and Enology Student | Seattle, WA

Jack Bucher

Wine Ambassador | MacRostie Winery, Healdsburg, CA

JUDGES

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